For her first cruise onboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, Insider's reporter regrets packing a formal dress. Joey Hadden/Insider 2023-07-18T20:41:38Z ...

Our writer has sailed on more than 50 cruises. Here are her tips on how to pack for a cruise—and the items she always takes along, for every stage of the journey.

Packing for any trip takes some planning, but cruise vacations present a unique challenge. For starters, ship staterooms are typically smaller than most hotel rooms, so storage space may be limited.

Whether you’re a cruise fanatic or new to sailing, you’ll want to ensure you pack all the essentials for your vacation. Here are 25 expert-approved items to add to your packing list.

Reflecting back on my packing list, I wish I had brought a few more dresses, shirts, and pants. I thought towel clips were trivial, but by the end of the cruise, I wish I had invested in a set.